Brazilian armada lead the Sooruz Lacanau Pro

20 August 2010 |
Surfing

The Sooruz Lacanau Pro an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) sanctioned event witnessed an amazing day of competition in excellent conditions which are forecasted to continue through the weekend setting up for some great finals action. Standouts were many as surfers displayed progressive modern manoeuvres to impress the huge crowds lining the shore.

An overnight increase in swell produced excellent 4-5ft (1.2m) waves to create the perfect playing field for the remaining 96 elite athletes. Light winds and clears skies ensured that the beach would be packed with spectators eager to witness the 25-minute clashes unfold.

Surfers competing at the Sooruz Lacanau Pro are out to add to their ASP World ranking with the valuable points on offer. European surfers are also chasing points for the overall European Men’s title here at stop nº 6 of 12 of the European Series.

Alejo Muniz (BRA) kicked off the show boosting an incredible aerial to set the pace, scoring a 9.37 out of a possible 10 to claim the highest single wave score of the day. With one excellent score in the bag Muniz hunted down many other solid rides to advance along with Marc Lacomare (FRA) to Round Three of competition.

“When I paddled into that wave it was good,” explained Muniz about his top scoring ride. “I knew I would have to do a big air so I just built up as much speed as I could and I pulled the air so it was so exciting for me when I completed the manoeuvre I knew I had a good score so I was stoked.”

Like so many other competitors Muniz commented on how stacked his heat was due to the level of surfers in the Sooruz Lacanau Pro 2010 edition.

“It was hard because I was against Marc Lacomare who is like a local hero here and Masatoshi Ohno and Marlon (Lipke) who was on the WCT so it was a hard heat but I just tried to enjoy myself. The waves are great and it is so rippable and my board feels real good so I am happy about that heat and hope to do better in the next one.”

Fellow Brazilian Pablo Paulino (BRA) came home with the goods in a titanic struggle along with Brent Dorrington (AUS) ousting Nathaniel Curran (USA) by the narrowest of margins. All three riders had excellent scoring waves and despite a last ditched effort, Curren remained in third place. It came down to who could fly the highest and Paulino took the honours with a massive air to stun the cheering crowds.

“I am so happy to be here in France and that heat was very difficult because the other guys had the scores and I needed something. My first wave was good with the best move on my backhand and then I needed another wave and I did a big move and got the score.”

“This is an important contest for me,” continued Paulino. “I need to get a good result and my dream is to make the WCT tour this year so for me I have to do the best I can here.”

Mickey Picon (FRA) former Dream Tour member was not to be out done and nailed the highest two wave heat total of 16.90 with an impressive display of power-packed backhand surfing.

“I’m stoked with the fun rights I got and my board feels very good on my backhand more than on my forehand so I was happy when I saw those rights. It was a tough heat with Medi (Veminardi) and Gabriel (Medina) because they have been ripping and both are good friends of mine but it was OK because there was a lot of respect and everybody caught their waves and I was lucky I got those rights.”

Having given the tip to Marc Lacomare (FRA) in the previous heat Picon stuck to his game plan and went in search of the long reeling rights.

“My option was to go for the rights and that is what I told Marc in the heat before me and he got through. The bank is really good fun today.”

On a day which saw numerous Brazilians advance William Cardoso added his name to the list late in the day to advance with fellow countryman Junior Faria in a closely fought encounter between the two of them until the last smashing left of Cardoso gave him the victory.

“I found the good waves in that heat and the last one was sick so I am happy and it is high tide right now so it was a little more difficult to surf because there were lots of peaks and you need to stay in the right place to get through. So I got two rights and one left and the rights were unreal and this is a perfect day for surfing.”

With an excellent forecast for swell conditions predicted for tomorrow a first-call will be made at 07:00am for the start of Round Three in what should be some great low tide conditions.